Latest Area News Headlines

Barry Manilow recently announced that he is going to “hit the road” and perform concerts across North America ONE LAST TIME!, along with special guest Dave Koz. Manilow will launch his multiple-city ONE LAST TIME! Tour beginning in Omaha, NE on February 11, 2015 at the CenturyLink Center.

WORTHINGTON – The Worthington/Nobles Emergency Response Unit had a busy day on Monday, prowling the halls of an old building on the Sanford Worthington Medical Center campus, clearing rooms one by one. No, they weren’t searching for intruders, they were drilling.

Sanford graciously allowed the use of the old clinic building they purchased this fall for the ERU to practice high-risk entry tactics under the tutelage of Minneapolis SWAT Training Coordinator Craig Taylor and Quartermaster Mark Kaspszak. For Taylor, it was a bit of a home-coming. He’s from Storden, and was part of the...

WORTHINGTON – The Worthington/Nobles Emergency Response Unit had a busy day on Monday, prowling the halls of an old building on the Sanford Worthington Medical Center campus, clearing rooms one by one. No, they weren’t searching for intruders, they were drilling.

Sanford graciously allowed the use of the old clinic building they purchased this fall for the ERU to practice high-risk entry tactics under the tutelage of Minneapolis SWAT Training Coordinator Craig Taylor and Quartermaster Mark Kaspszak. For Taylor, it was a bit of a home-coming. He’s from Storden, and was part of the...

WORTHINGTON — The Minnesota West Community and Technical College Culture Corner and the Humanities Club will host a public forum and presentation featuring National Endowment of the Humanities Civil Rights speaker Hollis Watkins at noon Tuesday in the theater. Watkins has spent his life serving others for the cause of civil rights. Watkins was jailed several times for his activities, which included attempts to integrate lunch counters in the south.

At the conclusion of Watkins’ presentation, he will entertain questions from the audience. The event is free and open to the public....

WORTHINGTON – Due to unsafe ice conditions, the Southwest Minnesota Fishing Club Club has postponed today’s Ice Derby.

According to Chad Cummings, if conditions improve in the next few weeks the Derby will take place at a later date. Cummings said the landings are the cause for concern. A hard house and ATV broke through at a landing Friday evening, making one of the two landings unusable and unsafe.

“We do not want to subject the other to high traffic and have it fail with today’s forecasted temp close to 30 degrees,” Cummings explained.

WORTHINGTON – Friday night festivities at the Worthington Event Center for the Winterfest Kick-Off Event were a fun success.

Crowned Winterfest 2015 Queen was Lauren Martin of Brewster. Lauren, age 16, is the daughter of Ted and Sarah Martin and a junior at Worthington High School.
On her application, Lauren said she likes winter because of the change of season and anticipation of the first snow. She admits she also looks forward each year to winter styles and fashions.

Her favorite outdoor activity is skiing, where she loves the thrill of flying down slopes and riding...

WORTHINGTON – It’s time for the Winterfest Kick-Off event, which is tonight from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Worthington Event Center. Red Hot Chili Cook-Off contestants can get into the venue at 3 p.m. and need to have a sample of their chili ready for the judges by 4:30 p.m.

The public is invited to come out and try different chili entries. At last count, there were 14 contestants. The public can vote on both the chili and the contestants’ creativity in decorating their booths.

During the evening, registration for the “Don’t Get Lost in the Frost” 2-mile walk will take place, and...

WORTHINGTON - Brian Pellowski of PBK Investments unveiled elevation drawings and floor plans of the future movie theater Thursday during the Worthington Regional Economic Development Corporation annual meeting, stating it will be at the site of the old K-Mart building. His hope, he said, is to begin construction by April or May.

Pellowski was the keynote speaker at the WREDC meeting, and his presentation “Beyond the Northland Mall” brought in a curious group of people who have an interest in the economic development and health of Worthington. Pellowski, who has been designated by...

WORTHINGTON — The 11th annual King Turkey Day Bowling Tournament will be Feb. 21 at Worthington’s Oxford Bowl. This fundraiser for the annual community celebration is 9-pin, no-tap, with five-person teams. Available bowling shifts start at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Cash prizes will be awarded. All bowlers must be 18 years of age to enter. For more information, contact the Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce, 372-2919.

WINDOM - If state lawmakers give Windom the OK to seek a one percent sales tax, Windom voters could vote on the issue as early as the fall of 2015.

MINNESOTA - The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will postpone the new aquatic invasive species training and trailer decal program that was due to launch at the end of the month while legislators consider changes to the program.

Under a law passed by the state Legislature in 2012, anyone trailering a boat or water-related equipment such as docks and lifts in Minnesota is required to take aquatic invasive species training and display a decal on their trailer. The effective date is July 1, 2015.

According to DNR Assistant Commissioner Bob Meier, with the legislative...